Lucky winner to be London's 'official guest of honor'

LONDON — Imagine exploring London's Science Museum with the world-renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, before enjoying afternoon tea at Lord's Cricket Ground with Mr. Carson, the butler from Downton Abbey, aka actor Jim Carter?

And that's not all — celebrated Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo and retired British ballerina Darcey Bussell will show you around the world famous Royal Opera House, whose spectacular auditorium has delighted the crème de la crème of high society for more than a century.

Sound like a dream? Well it will soon become reality for the lucky winner of an international search for "London's official guest of honor" (along with a guest).

Thousands of people around the world have entered the contest to win the two-week trip since it was launched by VisitLondon.com last month. Entries close at 6:59 p.m. ET Tuesday.

Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton will treat the winner to a "taste of Britain" at his central London restaurant Pollen Street Social.

"I'll show them where I get my meat from, and teach them the history of British food," Atherton, whose New York City restaurant Social on Madison is due to open in May, told Paste BN.

The other once-in-a-lifetime experiences are:

• A behind-the-scenes tour at the Houses of Parliament by MP John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons.

• Firing the guns from the former Royal Navy cruiser HMS Belfast, now a museum ship moored in the River Thames.

• Walking the red carpet at a central London film premier.

• Seeing a West End theater show with best-selling singer-songwriter Jessie J.

• Meeting former British tennis No. 1 Tim Henman for a VIP tour of the All England Tennis Club, which hosts the Wimbledon Championships.

• Being a keeper for the day at London Zoo.

• Getting an all-access pass to London's Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, including an $8,000 shopping spree.

To apply to be London's official guest of honor, go to VisitLondon.com, submit a short film or picture and describe your perfect day in London in 70 words. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

The winner will be announced in January.